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 I
admit to being a little confused when I first saw the 2010 Land Rover
LR4 when it was delivered for a week-long test drive. Sure looked
a lot like the good ol' LR3, a vehicle we used to know - and love - as
the Land Rover Discovery… until Land Rover decided to badge it as
the LR3, that occurring around the same time that the British SUV maker
introduced a new and smaller model, the LR2/Freelander.
Oh, now we get it,
if the LR2 is smaller than the LR3, this new LR4 must be larger than the
LR3.
But we were wrong.
As it turns out, the LR4 is actually the next generation of the Discovery/LR3
model. In fact, it shares the same basic chassis as the previous version.
What the LR4 badge signifies is not larger than but the fourth generation
of.
While the underpinnings
are retained, there are significant changes that justify the new model
designation. Those changes include an all-new engine and transmission,
much larger brakes, revised suspension with updated off-pavement capabilities,
a redesigned interior, a freshening of the exterior that includes new
head and tail lamps and front quarterpanel vents, and the introduction
of new features, such as a surround camera system and push-button starting.
Unfortunately, we
drove the LR3 the way most people drive their sport utility vehicles -
on paved roads. However, we've spent a lot of time far from pavement in
previous-generation Discoverys and LR3s and have found them to be the
best all-around, original-equipment, off-pavement oriented vehicles available
- which means we'd pick the Land Rover Disco/LRwhateverthenumber over
a Jeep Wrangler or a Hummer for, say, driving from Phoenix to Moab, exploring
that area's unpaved and extremely challenging trails, and then driving
back to Phoenix.
That drive - both
on- and off-road - figures to be even better in this new LR4.
First, there's the
new powertrain: The 375-horsepower, 5.0-liter, direct-injection, aluminum
V8 engine was developed initially for Jaguar, which produces sedans and
sports cars on the other side of the Jaguar/Land Rover coin. The new engine
pumps out 375 pound-feet of torque that is fed through a new ZF six-speed
transmission to Land Rover's astounding Terrain Response permanent four-wheel
drive system.
Terrain Response
responds when the driver turns a dial on the center console to one of
several settings. Select, for example, the snow mode and the drivetrain
computer adjusts for the proper power delivery and ride height to enhance
your traction and handling. There also are settings for sand, mud, even
rock crawling and, oh yes, paved roads.
Not only does the
LR4 get a strengthened suspension, but its Terrain Response includes a
special "sand launch control" to help with initial movement
in soft sand. There are also revisions to the rock crawling program to
provide even more stability at the slow speeds when engaged in first and
reverse gears. Hill Descent Control has been revised to inhibit the rate
of acceleration when descending a very steep incline.
Whether on- or off-road,
the LR4 benefits from 14.2-inch front and 13.8-inch rear brake discs.
Also new is the interior
design, now more mainstream luxury but still with some of the Britishness
that Land Rover buyers have come to expect.
Base price for this
amazingly capable and comfortable-in-any-environment vehicle is $47,250,
plus $850 for "inland transportation."
 
Our test vehicle
was equipped with a $2,500 rear-seat entertainment system that includes
a six-DVD player (which is very well hidden at the rear of the vehicle
on the passenger's side above the right-side wheel well) with display
screens mounted in the back of the front-seat headrests and headphones
that plug into control panels in the rear doors so those in back can enjoy
a movie while those up front listen to the radio. The grandchild has never
been so quiet for so long.
In our car, with
its $11,115 "7 Seat LUX Plus package," we were listening to
a 480-watt, 14-speaker HarmanKardon audio system (the standard audio is
a 240-watt, 9-speaker hk unit). That LUX package also includes the surround
camera system, climate control package, leather seating with special ambient
interior lighting, 19-ich wheels, park distance control, auto-adaptive
bi-xenon headlights with automatic dimming high beams, keyless entry,
a cooler box and eight-way power front seats.
As-tested price was
$61,715.
The 2010 LR4 is rated
at 12 miles per gallon in city driving and at 17 on the highway, where
its redesigned front end enhances aerodynamics, though you wonder if "enhances"
is really the proper word to use when you're talking about a large, boxy
vehicle.
Besides, if you're
paying north of $50K for such on- and off-road comfort and capability,
is the price of fueling your fun really a significant factor in the equation?
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